The men of Israel replied to the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and we have a greater claim on David than you do! Why do you want ¹  to curse us? Weren’t we the first to suggest bringing back our king?” But the comments of the men of Judah were more severe than those of the men of Israel.

The man replied to Joab, “Even if ¹  I were receiving ²  a thousand pieces of silver, ³  I would not strike ⁴  the king’s son! In our very presence ⁵  the king gave this order to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’ ⁶ 

Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do everything that my lord the king has instructed his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth was a regular guest ¹  at David’s table, ²  just as though he were one of the king’s sons.

Absalom said to Joab, “Look, I sent a message to you saying, ‘Come here so that I can send you to the king with this message: ¹  “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.”’ Let me now see the face of the king. If I am at fault, let him put me to death!”

Now David’s soldiers ¹  and Joab were coming back from a raid, bringing a great deal of plunder with them. Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, for David ²  had sent him away and he had left in peace.

David assembled the army that was with him. He appointed leaders of thousands and leaders of hundreds.

These are the names of children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

Absalom had ¹  three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a very attractive woman. ² 

For I am aware of all his regulations, ¹  and I do not reject his rules. ² 

I chase my enemies and destroy them; I do not turn back until I wipe them out.

Then Hadadezer sent for Arameans from ¹  beyond the Euphrates River, ²  and they came to Helam. Shobach, the general in command of Hadadezer’s army, led them. ³ 

So Joab and his men ¹  marched out to do battle with the Arameans, and they fled before him.

Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me ¹  a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint ²  could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.”

When Ish-bosheth ¹  the son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he was very disheartened, ²  and all Israel was afraid.

David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem. ¹ 

Smoke ascended from ¹  his nose; ²  fire devoured as it came from his mouth; ³  he hurled down fiery coals. ⁴ 

When the Arameans realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they consolidated their forces. ¹ 

He made the sky sink ¹  as he descended; a thick cloud was under his feet.

From the brightness in front of him came coals of fire. ¹ 

The earth heaved and shook; ¹  the foundations of the sky ²  trembled. ³  They heaved because he was angry.